It's the first bowl appearance since 2009 for the Gophers (6-6), who reached the postseason despite winning just two Big Ten games. Texas Tech (7-5) returns to the postseason after a one-year absence. The Red Raiders dropped their final regular-season game to Baylor in overtime, 52-45, but they beat West Virginia and TCU and doubled their Big 12 win total from last season. Minnesota and Texas Tech played each other in the 2006 Insight Bowl. The Gophers suffered an epic meltdown, blowing a 31-point lead and losing 44-41.

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